EMPOWER
THE
POSSIBLE
The 4th Biennial Southern Oregon Trade Careers Expo was held September 26, 2023.
Thanks to our generous sponsors and all exhibiting companies, the SOTCE positively impacted the lives of over 2,000 attendees from Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Lane counties.
- Mark your calendars for the next SOTCE on 09.30.25
- Use our Exhibitors page as a virtual job fair to connect and inquire about careers.
- Click Past Events to see the action!
About the Southern Oregon Trade Careers Expo: The SOTCExpo promotes living-wage, trades-related career opportunities in Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Lane counties. Held at Seven Feathers Convention Center and adjacent northern outside lots, ALL job seekers attend FREE!
Our format:
8:00 am to 1:00 pm - High School Students from 7 counties attend to get Hands-on experience with different trade careers, talk to industry professionals, and explore training opportunities.
1:15 pm to 3:30pm - Adult Job Seekers from anywhere in Oregon attend to meet employers and interview. We encourage all Veterans, Active-Duty Military and Spouses, and public and private agencies to attend.
SOTCE IS NOT A 'CAREER FAIR'
IT'S AN EXPO
Living wage careers come to life!
High School attendees participate in a vast array of HANDS-ON activities with 140+ companies.
Adults Job Seekers attend to meet the companies and explore trades-related career opportunities.
Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Lane counties are welcome!
We Look Forward To Seeing You Again in 2025!
There is a reason we're here.
#1
Because of our generous and sponsors that are committed to helping job seekers and youth attain living wage, trade-related careers.
#2
YOU and all other career seekers!
Thank you 2023 SOTCExpo Sponsors:
(You can be a Sponsor too, just CLICK HERE)
WHY SOTCE?
More than 3 million skilled trade jobs will remain open by 2028.
Statewide, the trades command HIGH WAGES.
More than 80% PAY ABOVE the median wage for the state.
And, several pay more than DOUBLE THE MEDIAN!
In Oregon, a workers average age is 50 years, and they are retiring.
Trades-careers are HIGH-TECH and HANDS-ON with GREAT WAGES.
The Mission of the Southern Oregon Trade Careers EXPO is to promote living-wage careers and connect the current and future workforce to employers.
The SOTCExpo provides an opportunity for high school students and adult job seekers to explore and engage with employers and career opportunities in a multitude of sectors in the Industrial, Commercial, Construction, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Professional, and Transportation industries.
From 8:00 am to 1:00 pm high school students in 11th and 12th grades experience real trade careers as they participate in HANDS-ON activities.
From 1:15 - 3:30 pm adult job seekers connect with employers that are ready to hire. We encourage any job seeker that resides in Oregon to attend and bring their resume!
AVIATION RAIL TRANSPORTATION HIGHWAY SHIPPING TRUCKING PAVING TRUCK DRIVING ROADWAYS MECHANICS AUTOBODY AUTOMOTIVE DIESEL ENGINE REPAIR OIL MINING DRILLING ENERGY SOLAR ELECTRICAL UTILITIES BOILERMAKING WELDING PIPEFITTING STEAMFITTING IRON WORKING CABLE FIBER OPTICS INSTALLATION SKILLED LABOR FABRICATION LOCKSMITHING LANDSCAPING CONSTRUCTION HVAC INSULATION CARPENTRY DRYWALL FRAMING MASONRY CEMENT TILESETTING PLUMBING ROOFING FLOORING PAINTING DRAFTING ENGINEERING ARCHITECTURE MANUFACTURING MACHINING MILLWRIGHT INSPECTION HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATION ARCHAEOLOGY SURVEYING GEOLOGY EXCAVATION METALS FABRICIATION STEEL WORKING FARMING RANCHING OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AGRICULTURE LANDSCAPING FORESTRY FISH & GAME WILDLAND FIRE MARITIME CRAFTERS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCY SERVICES FIRE POLICE AMBULENCE EMT PILOT GUARDSMAN MILITARY - AND MORE!
High School Juniors & Seniors from Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lane counties
8:00 - 1:00 pm
All Adult Job Seekers in Oregon, including currently serving Military, Veterans, Spouses, and Agency Referrals
1:15 pm - 3:00 pm
Feedback from exhibitors and attendees!
"This was my first experience working at the SOTCE and was impressed by the different activities and opportunities that are available to High School students, College Students, Unemployed Adults, Veterans, Service Members, and Adults just looking for a better career. If you fit into any of these categories, then this is the event you have to be at, and the Seven Feather Casino is an amazing host and perfect location for this event." - David Martinmaas, Work For Warriors
"This is a great opportunity for students interested in pursuing a trade with little to no college after high school. A couple of years ago, I took 25 MHS and Harding Kids to this Expo. They said they really had a good time and learned a lot. They didn't realize there were so many career jobs that required little to no college. If you get a chance to attend, please do so. It is worth it!" - Stacy Gulseth, Coos Bay
“I had no idea what sparked my interest, but being here made me realize that there are a lot more options than what it seems out there." - Mary Burnett, 12th grade
"Thank you for having us, we're grateful for the opportunity to share all of the careers that we have at Kelly's Automotive Service in Grants Pass and Medford. It was really nice to see so many youth interested in trades careers, engage with us, and ask questions. Thanks again, we'll see you in 2023!" - Kelly's Automotive Service
"We had lots of great conversations with students at the Southern Oregon Trade Careers Expo last week at Seven Feathers Casino Resort. We were also able to chat with shop teachers and counselors, and we're excited about setting up future opportunities for some shop/office tours and visits for the schools! Always great to help our community and youth to learn, grow, and have opportunities for their future!" - Convey
"A&M Transport is happy to be a part of the Southern Oregon Trade Careers Expo at Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville!" - A&M Transport
"Great job on another great event! I know we didn't have the numbers come through as we did in 2019 due to the pandemic, but there were a lot more kids specifically interested in the utility industry and potential careers, which was fantastic!" - Sam, Pacific Power
"Project Youth+ students from all over the valley got the opportunity to attend this year's Southern Oregon Trade Careers Expo. Students got to talk to real employers and recruiters, and even try hands-on trade work! We love being able to introduce students to all sorts of post-secondary education, training, and career options. Thank you, Southern Oregon Trade Careers Expo, for putting together this awesome event!" - Project Youth+
“Allowing the youth to climb on the equipment, experience it, touch it, run it, and do the boom lifts and run the excavators — this is an opportunity they wouldn’t get anywhere else. This allows them to experience opportunities they may not have considered because they may not know anyone in these trades.” - John Jenkins, Phoenix Charter School
"I enjoyed reaching out to potential young workers, who might need a week to train to become roller operators who make $39.90 an hour, the state minimum starting wage for roadwork, without a college degree. My wife has a master’s degree from Boston University and she makes $22 an hour." - John Hickey, Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon
"The Expo is an invaluable showcase of careers available to Oregon's youth. Students will experience first-hand how they can apply their math, science and engineering studies to real life careers with fun, interactive learning." - Kelly Warner, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians
Event Address
Seven Feathers Convention Center
146 Chief Miwaleta Ln.
Canyonville, OR 97417
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We look forward to
seeing you again at the
5th Biennial SOTCE 09.30.25
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